Research Bites Podcast

00:00 Introduction to Research Bites Podcast
 00:30 Join the Research Bites Membership
 01:08 Introducing Dr. Sara Hintze
 02:01 Dr. Hintze's Journey into Animal Welfare
 04:43 The Evolution of Animal Welfare Science
 06:22 Understanding Positive Welfare in Animals
 09:33 Challenges in Measuring Animal Emotions
 14:58 Individual Differences in Animal Welfare
 19:28 Cognitive Bias and Optimism in Animals
 22:28 Assessing Well-Being in Individual Animals
 28:40 Balancing Individual Differences in Animal Training
 30:23 The Importance of Addressing Underlying Problems
 33:01 Introduction to Flow in Animal Behavior
 34:10 Defining Intrinsic Reward and Flow
 37:13 Exploring Flow in Animals
 48:31 Inducing Flow in Companion Animals
 51:39 Future Directions in Animal Welfare Research
 54:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
 In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding welcomes Dr. Sara Hintze, who studies animal welfare and emotions. They discuss the evolution of the study of animal welfare, shifting from focusing solely on reducing suffering to promoting positive emotional states. Dr. Hintze explains the complexities of measuring subjective experience in animals and highlights research related to cognitive bias, optimism, and individual differences in animal behavior. The conversation also delves into the intriguing concept of 'flow' in animals, exploring how activities such as herding and hunting might induce a state of intrinsic reward. The importance of choice, agency, and varied enrichment for enhancing animal well-being is also discussed.

For more information about Dr. Hintze, you can click here.

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In this episode of the Research Bites podcast, host Dr. Kristina Spaulding interviews Professor Daniel Mills, a renowned expert in veterinary behavioral medicine from the University of Lincoln. They explore the complexities of animal behavior, the evolution of different behavioral models, and the role of emotions in influencing behavior. Professor Mills shares insights from his extensive research, including the development of the psychobiological model for assessing animal behavior and his work on using AI to detect emotions and pain in animals.

Key Topics Covered:

• Behavioral Models Explained: Differences between the medical, behavioral, and psychobiological approaches to animal behavior.
• The Role of Emotion in Behavior: Considering internal states is crucial for a comprehensive understanding of animal behavior.
• AI and Emotion Detection: How artificial intelligence is being used to recognize emotions and pain in animals, including dogs, cats, and horses.
• The Impact of Cognitive Load: How factors like discomfort or anxiety can affect an animal's cognitive capacity and behavior.
• Human-Animal Interactions: How dogs respond to human facial expressions and vocal cues, and the importance of building a positive relationship with pets.
• Challenges in Scientific Communication: Addressing the uncertainty of science, biases, and the influence of beliefs on interpreting behavior.

Key Quotes:

•  "Dogs live in an emotional world, often looking to synchronize their emotions with those of their human companions." 
• "Science is about reducing uncertainty, not finding absolute truths."

Timestamps:

• [00:05:45] Discussion of different behavioral models
• [00:18:47] The function and importance of emotions in animals
• [00:24:03] Using AI for emotion recognition in animals
• [00:46:47] The effects of cognitive load on behavior
• [00:48:42] How dogs respond to human emotions and facial expressions
• [00:59:57] The complexities of scientific communication

Resources Mentioned:

• Dr. Daniel Mills' 
  • On Facebook
  • At the University of Lincoln

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Hello everyone! I am taking a break to develop a more effective and consistent system for podcast production so that I can release episodes on a regular timeline. That means I need to take a short break to get everything organized, but rest assured we will be back soon!

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Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC

This podcast was originally released in March 2022 as a shortened version. This is the full version of the original podcast.

My guest today is Dr. Monique Udell. Dr. Udell is a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist and an Associate Professor of Animal & Rangeland Sciences at Oregon State University, where she directs the Human-Animal Interactions Lab and teaches courses on Animal Behavior, Cognition and Learning. Much of her work focuses on the development of human-animal bonds, with wild and domesticated animals, and the impact that these bonds can have on the behavior and success of both species. She also studies the social behavior and cognition of a variety of species including cats, dogs, wolves and sheep. In addition, Dr. Udell is a Co-director of an imitation-based dog training intervention program dedicated to improving the physical activity and quality of life of children with and without developmental disabilities and their family dog. To find out more visit: https://thehumananimalbond.com/ In this episode we talk about a variety of topics including problem-solving, how dogs attend to humans and forming secure attachments.

You can get more information on Research Bites and other educational opportunities at www.sciencemattersllc.com

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Summary

In this conversation, Kristina discusses two research papers. The first paper explores the effects of pair housing versus single housing in shelter dogs (yes, this was discussed last episode, but this is a 2nd study on the same topic, from a different perspective). The study found that pair housing with another dog may decrease stress levels and reduce the length of stay in shelters.

The second paper examines training methods used by dog owners in the United States. The study found that problem behaviors were common in dogs, and aversive training methods were frequently used. The results also highlighted the need for increased accessibility to professional training and behavior advice.

Here are some important links:

The Science Matters website: www.sciencemattersllc.com
Unlocking Resilience course: https://sciencemattersllc.com/unlocking-resilience
Join the Science Matters mailing list: http://eepurl.com/hY-7hr

1st paper:
Hecker, G., Martineau, K., Scheskie, M., Hammerslough, R., & Feuerbacher, E. N. (2024). Effects of single- or pair-housing on the welfare of shelter dogs: Behavioral and physiological indicators. PLOS ONE, 19(6), e0301137. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0301137

2nd paper:
Johnson, A. C., & Wynne, C. D. L. (2024). Training Methods Used by Dog Guardians in the United States: Prevalence, Sources of Information, and Reasons for Use. Animals, 14(9), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091310 

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Summary

In this conversation, Dr. Patricia McConnell and Dr. Kristina Spaulding explore the concept of flow, which is a state of complete absorption and engagement in an activity that is intrinsically rewarding. They discuss how flow can vary among individuals and how it relates to different activities dogs might do. The conversation highlights the importance of providing opportunities for animals to engage in activities purely for their own enjoyment.

They also discuss the importance of providing animals with opportunities for agency and choice, allowing them to actively engage with their environment and gather knowledge. The conversation highlights the need for balance in caregiving, reinforcing ourselves for the efforts we make, and giving animals the space to learn and explore.

For more information on Dr. McConnell, go to www.patriciamcconnell.com or visit her blog, at www.theotherendoftheleash.com, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

For more information on Dr. Spaulding, go to www.sciencemattersllc.com, or click here for Research Bites or here for the Unlocking Resilience course.

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Summary

In this conversation, I discuss two research papers related to dog behavior. The first paper explores the influence of puppy whines on maternal behavior in dogs. The study found that puppy whines trigger maternal care - with stronger maternal care in response to the mother's own puppies.  The second paper examines the impact of different enrichment interventions on the stress levels of dogs in a shelter. The study suggests that housing dogs with conspecifics may be beneficial in reducing stress. However, the results are not clear cut and I discuss the limitations and challenges in interpreting this study.

Takeaways

• Puppy whines can influence maternal behavior in dogs, and mothers can identify their own puppies based on the acoustics of their whines.
• Housing dogs with conspecifics may help reduce stress levels in shelter dogs.
• Individual variation in shelter dogs is important to consider.
• Interpreting results in stress-related studies is complex - I discuss some of the important points to consider.

Chapters

00:00 The Influence of Puppy Whines on Maternal Behavior in Dogs
10:19 Enrichment Interventions and Stress Levels in Shelter Dogs

References

Massenet, M., Philippe, R., Pisanski, K., Arnaud, V., Barluet de Beauchesne, L., Reynaud, K., ... & Reby, D. (2024). Puppy whines mediate maternal behavior in domestic dogs. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 121(22), e2316818121.

Corsetti, S., Natoli, E., Palme, R., & Viggiano, E. (2023). Intraspecific interactions decrease stress affecting welfare in shelter dogs: A comparison of four different housing conditions. Animals, 13(11), 1828.

If you'd like to learn more or contact Dr. Spaulding, you can do so through our website www.sciencemattersllc.com.

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Dr. Lucia Lazarowski, chief behavioral scientist at Auburn University's Canine Performance Sciences Program, discusses her research on olfaction and behavior in detection dogs. Dr. Lazarewski shares insights on the best methods for training dogs to detect odors, the capacity of dogs to learn multiple odors, and the maintenance of odor memory and search training.

We also discuss the fascinating topic of inattentional blindness and how focus on one thing can prevent dogs from even noticing other stimuli - as well as the implications on training and the overall ability of the dog to cope with their environment. We discuss the use of early behavioral testing in working dogs and the reliability of temperament testing. We also touch on the factors associated with success in working dogs, such as confidence, stress resilience, cognitive flexibility, and impulse control. This is worth listening to even if you don't work with working dogs because much of this information likely applies to pet dogs as well!

Dr. Lazarowski emphasizes the need for further research on the behavior and performance of working dogs throughout their career and into old age. She also provides recommendations for improving the well-being of working dogs, including evidence-based training and providing a balance between work and downtime.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Lucia Lazarewski and her work with detection dogs
08:15 The Value and Training of Detection Dogs
24:41 The Importance of Maintenance Training for Detection Dogs
33:33 The Impact of Arousal on Performance
44:19 Cognitive Flexibility and Impulse Control
01:01:04 Unanswered Questions in Detection Dog Research

If you'd like to learn more or contact Dr. Spaulding, you can do so through our website www.sciencemattersllc.com.

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It's time for another mini-episode on recent research! In this episode, I discuss papers about 1) gaps in our understanding of puppy development, from a unique perspective, 2) the impact of dog sports discipline (e.g. obedience or nosework) on impulse control and persistence, and 3) a program for reducing barking in shelter dogs. Each paper is summarized briefly in easy to understand language so you don't have to work - or find the time! - to find, read, and interpret the research yourself.

If you enjoyed this information and would like more opportunities to stay current with dog behavior research, check out Research Bites here. You can also get more information on my courses and upcoming events at www.sciencemattersllc.com.

Papers discussed in this episode:

Costa, A. G., Nielsen, T., Christley, R., & Hazel, S. (2023). Highlighting gaps in puppy research using Bronfenbrenner’s bioecological theory of human development. Human-Animal Interactions, (2023). https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/hai.2023.0014

Mellor, N., McBride, S., Stoker, E., & Dalesman, S. (2024). Impact of Training Discipline and Experience on Inhibitory Control and Cognitive Performance in Pet Dogs. Animals, 14(3), 428. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/3/428

Baldan, A. L., Ferreira, B. L., Warisaia, V., Feuerbacher, E. N., Monticelli, P. F., & Gunter, L. M. (2023). Reducing barking in a Brazilian animal shelter: A practical intervention. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 265, 105992.  https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.lib.vt.edu/science/article/pii/S0168159123001648

Click here for tips on getting access to scientific journal articles

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Here is a quick little episode for you with a summary of three recent papers. If you enjoyed this information and would like more opportunities to stay current with dog behavior research, check out Research Bites here. You can also get more information on my courses and upcoming events at www.sciencemattersllc.com.

Papers discussed in this episode:

Pereira-Figueiredo, I., Rosa, I., & Sancho Sanchez, C. (2024). Forced Handling Decreases Emotionality but Does Not Improve Young Horses’ Responses toward Humans and their Adaptability to Stress. Animals, 14(5), 784. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/5/784

Gerken, A., Lee, K., Bain, M., & Kim, S. A. (2024). Correlation between aggression at the veterinary clinic and problem behaviors at home for cats in the USA. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 26(2), 1098612X231214907. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1098612X231214907

Brand, C. L., O’Neill, D. G., Belshaw, Z., Dale, F. C., Merritt, B. L., Clover, K. N., ... & Packer, R. M. (2024). Impacts of Puppy Early Life Experiences, Puppy-Purchasing Practices, and Owner Characteristics on Owner-Reported Problem Behaviours in a UK Pandemic Puppies Cohort at 21 Months of Age. Animals, 14(2), 336. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14020336

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In this episode, I will be talking to Dr. Erin Hecht. She received her bachelor of science degree in cognitive science from the University of California, San Diego in 2006, and her PhD in neuroscience from Emory University in 2013. Before moving to Harvard, she was a research scientist at the Center for Behavioral Neuroscience at Georgia State University and an affiliated scientist at the Yerkes National Primate Research Center at Emory University.

Dr. Hecht joined the Department of Human Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University in January of 2019. Her lab studies brain behavior, evolution, and dogs, primates, and humans. And she has two miniature Australian shepherds, Lefty and Izzy, who are mostly good. 

In this episode, we cover recent studies indicating that different breeds have slightly different brain structures. This discovery opens up a whole new avenue for understanding what traits might have been selected for in breeding - each breed may have unique cognitive strengths and weaknesses. We also discuss how to interpret genetic studies, and the relationship between dog size, brain size, and behavior.

Finally - and excitingly, we discuss ongoing studies in which you can participate! You can find more information on these studies - and sign up to participate - at caninebrains.org. You can get more information on Dr. Hecht and her work at https://heb.fas.harvard.edu/people/erin-hecht. And, of course, if you'd like to geek out about dog behavior even more, please visit my Dr. Spaulding's website www.sciencemattersllc.com for even more opportunities for science learning.

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Dr. Sharmaine Miller is a Postdoctoral Fellow at Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Her research focuses on stress, One Health, and health equity and she is interested in human-animal relationships and their impact on both human and animal health.

Dr. Miller completed her undergraduate studies at Towson University (2010 - 2014) and her PhD in Biology from Pennsylvania State University (2014 - 2019). Her PhD focused on stress (biology and exposure) and its effects on animal behavior. She is currently conducting research on the stress and health impacts of animal-assisted therapy as well as potential health impacts of pet ownership in minority populations.

In this episode, we talk about the impacts of development stress on behavior and  differences between stress in captive vs. free-living animals. We then move on to a discussion of One Health (an interdisciplinary framework examining how local environment can impact human and animal health) and how each of these three segments interact to influence each other. Dr. Miller discusses her work with animal shelters and animal-assisted therapy.

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We can't help animals if we, ourselves, are not okay. Taking care of your mental health and well-being is essential to avoid burnout. In this episode, I interview Pierre Zimmerman, a Buddhist chaplain and Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction instructor.  We discuss the impact of stress on different aspects of behavior, and approaches for handling stress  and uncertainty. Drawing parallels from animal behavior, Pierre explains how mindfulness can foster compassion, empathy, and better communication among humans. Set aside some time and give yourself the gift of listening to this episode - you won't regret it!

If you'd like to learn more, check out Pierre's new book, Facing Cancer with an Attitude, Beyond Survivorship

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Dr. Allison Scagel. She is the owner and founder of Scholars with Collars Training and Behavior LLC. She graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a bachelor's degree in wildlife and conservation biology and minors in both psychology and animal behavior. She then interned with Dr. Spaulding for three years. She also served as a dog kennel attendant for the Humane Society of Rome and upstate New York for two years during this period.

In 2022, she completed her PhD in behavioral neuroscience at the University of Buffalo. There, she studied canine cognition and behavior work, which we'll be discussing today. Her first published paper "Do that again. Memory for self-performed actions in dogs" published in the Journal of Comparative Psychology won the 2022 Robert W. Rice Memorial Award for early excellence in research. 

In this episode, we talk about cognition, memory, and training in dogs. It's a fascinating discussion!

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This episode's guest is Rose Browne.  She was a student in my Unlocking Resilience course. I decided to have her on because I was so impressed by one of the assignments that she submitted for this course that I asked if she'd be willing to come on the podcast to talk about her idea more and share it with a wider audience.

Rose is a Karen Pryor Academy Certified Training Partner and a Fear-free Certified professional animal trainer. With over 25 years of experience in dog training with a primary focus on canine behavior modification and preventing problems before they begin. She teaches group classes and also develops and implements private training and behavior modification plans for her company Dynamic Canines. She has extensive experience in education and canine development and behavior, from working with and taking accredited courses with world-renowned professionals in the field of animal behavior. Please join us for this fascinating conversation where Rose shares with us an exercise that she has developed called Puppy Trails.

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Dr. McClain is a licensed clinical psychologist who has 27 years of experience administering and evaluating a wide variety of personality, intelligence, and aptitude psychological tests. She is an innovative and understanding professional proficient in mental health and therapeutic interventions and protocols.

In addition, she has expertise in ADHD and PTSD and is well-versed in providing strategic direction and ongoing leadership to academic programs. She obtained her certification in dog training from Catch Canine Trainers Academy in 2022, and is the owner of Positive Attitude Dog Trainers in Northern West Virginia where she provides obedience training and behavioral consultation.

In this episode, we talk about how to navigate those challenging and sensitive client conversations, what to do when the client isn't receptive to your recommendations, and how to prevent and address burnout.

Advanced Training Practicum: https://sciencemattersllc.com/advanced-consulting 

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Dr. Lindsay Palmer is a social psychologist who earned her PhDs in Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from the Pennsylvania State University in 2022. Before attending Penn State, she earned her B.A. from the University of Virginia and managed a UVa laboratory in social cognition and behavior for two years. Currently, she is a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences at the UMass Chan Medical School. She has been accepted as a scholar at the Human-Animal Studies Summer Institute at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to further advance her work in the human-animal bond. Dr. Palmer has several lines of research related to social and health disparities, diversity, prejudice, and stigma. Her work on the human-animal bond examines social factors and psychological mechanisms that impact the relationship between humans and animals. In this episode we talk about all kinds of fascinating topics including the impact of hegemonic masculinity on the endorsement of dominance theory, how to have conversations with people who disagree with you and diversity, equity, and inclusivity.

You can reach Lindsay at https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindsay-palmer-0904b51a2/ 

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In this episode, I speak with Doctor Clive Wynne. Dr. Wynne is Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University and Director of Research at Wolf Park, Indiana. He was educated at University College London and Edinburgh University in Scotland and has studied animal behavior in Britain, Germany, the U.S., and Australia in species ranging from pigeons to dunnarts (a mouse-sized marsupial). Several years ago he founded the Canine Cognition and Behavior Lab dedicated to the study of dogs and their wild relatives. As well as numerous scientific papers, he has also written for Psychology Today, American Scientist, the New York Times, and other outlets. His science has been featured on several TV shows such as National Geographic, Nova ScienceNow, and others. He is the author of the textbook Animal Cognition (now in a new edition) and former editor-in-chief of the journal Behavioural Processes. His most recent book is Dog is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You (Houghton, Mifflin, Harcourt, 2020). 

In this episode, we talk about the current state of dog behavior research, anthropomorphism, and the science of clicker training.

Dr. Wynne's page: https://www.clivewynne.com/
Arizona State University page: https://search.asu.edu/profile/2218677 

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Your host: Kristina Spaulding, PhD, CAAB with Science Matters Academy of Animal Behavior, LLC

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Emily Bray, Ph.D. Dr. Bray is a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Arizona Canine Cognition Center in the College of Veterinary Medicine and at Canine Companions, the largest US non-profit providing service dogs to people with disabilities. She earned her undergraduate degree at Duke University, completing a senior thesis at the Duke Canine Cognition Center investigating context specificity of inhibitory control in pet dogs. She then went on to earn a Ph.D. from the Department of Psychology at the University of Pennsylvania. For her dissertation, she partnered with The Seeing Eye—the oldest guide dog school in the United States—to conduct a longitudinal study investigating the development of behavior and cognition in dogs. Most recently, in her postdoctoral research, she develops and implements cognitive tasks in hundreds of dogs from Canine Companions' population.

In this episode, we discuss development and cognition in puppies, and the Many Dogs Project (it is SO cool!).

Dr. Bray also references a project she is involved in called the Dog Aging Project. They are recruiting dogs of all ages. You can get more information at www.dogagingproject.org

You can get more information on my Unlocking Resilience course here, and learn more about Dr. Spaulding and Science Matters Academy at www.sciencemattersllc.com.

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In this episode, I discuss a concept called cognitive flexibility. Cognitive flexibility allows animals to adjust their behavior to a changing environment - and it's very important for resilience!

Learn more about what cognitive flexibility is, how it impacts behavior, and how we can improve it.

Click for more information on the Advanced Consulting Course and Research Bites.

Here are links to some of the papers I discuss in the podcast:

Gelfo, F. (2019). Does experience enhance cognitive flexibility? An overview of the evidence provided by the environmental enrichment studies. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 13, 150. https://doi.org/10.3389/FNBEH.2019.00150/BIBTEX

Gökçen, G., Arslan, C., & Tras, Z. (2020). Examining the Relationship between Patience, Emotion Regulation Difficulty and Cognitive Flexibility. Online Submission, 7(7), 131–152. https://doi.org/10.46827/ejes.v7i7.3160

Kalia, V., & Knauft, K. (2020). Emotion regulation strategies modulate the effect of adverse childhood experiences on perceived chronic stress with implications for cognitive flexibility. PLOS ONE, 15(6), e0235412. https://doi.org/10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0235412

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